In order to save money, companies may often look to the internet, instead of lawyers, for legal advice.  The internet is a great resource and it is a great way for business owners to get a base understanding for a legal issue they may be facing.  However, it is not a good substitute for the advice of a real-life attorney. These types of legal websites are akin to medical websites such as WebMd.  WebMd is great for getting a basic understanding about health issues and concern you may have, but would you use it to perform surgery on yourself? Of course not! When it really comes down to it, you’re going to see a doctor and leave the real diagnosis to the professionals.  Legal issues with your business should be treated in the same fashion.

Companies like Legal Zoom claim to offer low-cost legal document preparation, which would lead one to believe they are a good substitute for a real attorney. Although these cheap legal forms may seem great, what are you really purchasing?

One might say you are purchasing a lawsuit.  Startup lawyer Sam Glover recently discussed how an online legal document preparer sold an employment agreement that contained a clause that went against federal law, which means it was unenforceable in every state.  Running a business is hard enough.  A business owner doesn’t need to add the complications, and costs, of an employment lawsuit to the mix.

The American Bar Association Journal recently contained an article dealing with this subject as well.  In the article, Bob Fellmeth states, “I worry about someone relying on the provider and maybe not getting what they thought they paid for… There’s a question as to whether the person seeking the information doesn’t know what they don’t know—when you avoid the attorney, you’re not getting the question asked that might lead you to an entirely different form.”  This statement could not be truer.

At their core, attorneys give advice.  Many people can fill out a form and even fill it out correctly.  But neither a form, nor website, can ask you the questions that get to the route of an issue which allows you to proceed in the best manner.  It can’t advise you on the best business entity for your company…whether you should register your trademark…whether this lease is beneficial for your needs…whether your partnership agreement reflects the intent of all the partners.  A lawyer can and will do all of these.

There are numerous affordable attorneys that can competently fulfill the needs of your business without depleting your monetary resources.  In the end the few dollars saved with a non-attorney document preparer are not worth the risk and potential headache that may come in the long run.